Kyoto-based graduate researcher, Oliver Jia, recently posted a picture of the greatest thing to come out of aquariums since dolphins meeting slothsOpens in a new tab: a flowchart illustrating “the complicated romantic relationships” that are at play amongst the Kyoto Aquarium’s penguin population. And while the little aquatic birds’Opens in a new tab romantic web of intrigue is shockingly complex, it’s also oddly familiar.
Jia’s viral Twitter postOpens in a new tab, which was spotted by Spoon & TomagoOpens in a new tab, shows a wall-sized flowchart at the Kyoto AquariumOpens in a new tab inside Umekoji Park in Kyoto, Japan. In follow-up tweets, Jia—who’s actually pursuing his master’s in international relations—noted thatOpens in a new tab penguins are “known to be vicious animals who cheat on their partners and steal other’s children.”
Spoon & Tomago, translating information from the Aquarium’s website, says that, according to the penguins’ caretakersOpens in a new tab, the birds’ “romantic escapades” are easy to observe. Wing-flapping, for example, is a sign of affection, as is mutual grooming. And on the sadder side, penguins who’re going through a break-up will refuse to eat.
Kyoto AquariumOpens in a new tab
As far as the actual flowchart is concerned—there are actually two of them, one of which belongs to Tokyo’s Sumida AquariumOpens in a new tab—it is a well-laid-out tapestry of relationships in constant flux. There’s a legend that contains five different heart and penguin symbols that stand for, presumably, the different stages of love affairsOpens in a new tab. Although there’s no translated version for the legend, there are hearts, for example. Also broken hearts, which, according to Tomago, stand for “crushes” and “heartbreaks” respectively.
Kyoto AquariumOpens in a new tab
For those wondering, most penguins are monogamousOpens in a new tab: meaning one female mates with one male for the duration of a mating season. Many partners will, however, also choose to mate exclusively for life. This is the case for penguins because both parents are involved in raising offspring. Now if we could just see a chart of that at the Tokyo Aquarium for science. (Read: soap opera-esque dramaOpens in a new tab.)
Kyoto AquariumOpens in a new tab
What do you think about this penguin relationship flowchart? Do you want to see the Tokyo Aquarium lay out penguin offspring relationships now? Or is this one chart enough drama for you? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Feature image: Kyoto AquariumOpens in a new tab
